The Shepherd University’s Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Scott Hippensteel, will perform a concert featuring international wind band music on Friday, April 5 at 8 p.m. in the Frank Center Theater. The audience is invited to spend time with conductor Hippensteel and the musicians with a pre-concert lecture (free with admission) describing the works at 7:30 p.m.

Selections from Shepherd’s Symphonic Band will include “Our Director,” a traditional American march; “Wind Dancer,” a rhythmic set of variations of a four-note pentatonic theme by Jim Colonna; “Perthshire Majesty,” a beautiful ballad by Samuel Hazo; scenes from the “Louvre,” a five-movement suite inspired by art and music of the Renaissance by Norman Dello Joio; and “Undertow” by John Mackey. The Wind Ensemble will feature “Carnival” by Paul Basler; “Paris Sketches,” a work depicting famous four regions of Paris each in the style of a French composer by Martin Ellerby; “Angels in the Architecture,” a new work by Frank Ticheli depicting the contrasting forces of light and dark; “The Free Lance March” by John Philip Sousa; “Four Scottish Dances” by Sir Malcolm Arnold; and “Candide Suite,” from the musical by Leonard Bernstein.

The Shepherd Wind Ensemble, comprised of music majors and a few select non-majors, is the premier wind group of Shepherd, and each year the audition becomes more competitive. This ensemble has been invited to perform around the world. In 2001, the group accepted an invitation form the Lord Mayor of Dublin to tour Ireland and performed throughout the country, including stops in Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Tramore, and Dublin. In 2004, the ensemble’s outstanding recording of Barnes Symphony #3 garnered it an invitation to be a part of the 2005 season in Carnegie Hall. The well-attended concert received a standing ovation and was well received by the New York audience. In May 2009, the Wind Ensemble performed on a 10-day concert tour of Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague, and in May of 2011, the ensemble toured Spain. Audiences will get a preview of some of the selections the ensemble will be presenting on their tour of France and Monaco this coming May.

Admission and seating for the concert is on a first-come, first-served basis. The box office will open one hour prior to each performance. General admission is $10; $5 for faculty, staff, Shepherd alumni, senior citizens, and students 18 and under; and free to Shepherd students with a Rambler ID, and Friends of Music MAC Cardholders.

For more information, call 304-876-5555 or visit www.shepherd.edu/musicweb.